Top Ten Energy Saving Tips for Landlords

The specialist national Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provider the-energy-portal, has urged landlords to review the energy efficiency of their property portfolios ahead of new energy performance rules being introduced later this year.

With over a million private properties changing tenants every year, the energy rating is likely to become a key issue in tenancy negotiations, so landlords will be keen to make their properties as energy-efficient as possible before they put them up for rent. It is possible to do so through a number of simple cost-effective measures, and the-energy-portal has compiled a list of top ten tips to help landlords achieve the highest possible rating for their properties:

1. Insulation - Insulating the loft with 250mm insulation is one of the simplest ways to improve efficiency and to save energy. It could save between £180 and £220 in a year and costs less than £500 to install. Landlords and tenants could be entitled to grants to help with the cost of fitting.
2. Heating - Don't allow the property to get overheated. Set the thermostat at between 18 and 21 degrees. This could save around £40 a year.
3. Lighting - Replace ordinary bulbs with energy saving ones. They are slightly more expensive, but last up to 15 times longer and use around one fifth of energy, saving £100 on electricity over the bulb's lifetime.
4. Water Usage - Make sure domestic hot water is not too hot. It is possible to save £30 a year by setting the temperature on the hot water storage cylinder no higher than 60 degrees.
5. Hot Water Tank - Wrap the hot water storage tank with a jacket of at least 150mm and it could save around £250 a year on heating water.
6. Look for the logo - When purchasing new appliances choose one with an Energy Saving Recommended logo. Energy Saving appliances are the most efficient and could cut energy bills by £45 a year per appliance.
7. Turn off appliances - Turning off appliances left on standby can shave 10 per cent off an average household's total electricity bill.
8. Boilers - The type of boiler makes the biggest difference of all to the energy rating. If the boiler is over 15 years old, it may be time to replace it. Installing a high efficiency condensing boiler could help to save up to a third on the heating bills.
   
9. Windows - Double-glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50 per cent and could cut heating bills by £80 to £100 a year.
10. Solar water heating and photovoltaics - Solar water heating panels reduce the fuel needed for domestic hot water and can provide 50 per cent of the property's hot water requirements. Photovoltaic panels on the roof of the home can generate 15 per cent of electricity for use in the home or for sale to the National Grid.

Chief Executive of the-energy-portal Stephen Callaghan said: "Research consistently shows that privately rented properties are often the least well insulated and hence most in need of improvement. Furthermore the most vulnerable people often live in the private rented sector, thus making it even more important that these properties provide an adequate degree of thermal comfort. These Energy Performance Certificates which can only be carried out by suitably qualified and licensed assessors will play a valuable role in raising the energy efficiency across the whole sector. Energy Improvement Grants are readily available to both landlords and tenants. By acting now, landlords will be able to predict the property's energy rating and do something about it before the legislation takes effect."